Chapter 106: Zhou Andong Comes to Borrow Money

Zhou Andong was speechless—how had this cold, aloof beauty become so clingy?

“Get in. I’m heading back to Tanghezi—I’ll drop you off on the way.”

“Okay!” Jian Qiu replied. The two got into the car one after the other.

“Teacher, first to the Procuratorate’s family compound, then to Tanghezi,” Zhou Andong said.

“For some reason, I’ve had no energy all day—so sleepy,” Jian Qiu said weakly, wrapping her arms around Zhou Andong’s arm and leaning her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes.

At the family compound, Zhou Andong nudged Jian Qiu: “Hey, you’re home.”

Jian Qiu seemed asleep—no reaction at all.

Zhou Andong nudged her again: “Asleep?”

Jian Qiu’s elegant eyebrows furrowed slightly; she puckered her lips, drool trickling from the corner of her mouth.

“You getting out or not?” The driver, in his thirties with long, artsy hair, sounded impatient.

“Wake up, you’re home,” Zhou Andong nudged her again.

“Sleeping, don’t bother me,” Jian Qiu grumbled, shifted her body, and snuggled closer to Zhou Andong in a more comfortable position.

“I—”

Zhou Andong didn’t know what to say. He considered carrying her upstairs, but too many people were coming and going in the compound—someone would recognize Jian Qiu. If he carried her in like that, gossip would spread, and her family might cause trouble.

“Are you leaving or not?” The driver’s tone was harsh—he’d reached his limit.

Zhou Andong narrowed his eyes slightly, glanced at the driver, and said coldly: “Go.”

Jian Qiu opened one eye, glanced, then closed it again, a pleasant curve lifting her lips.

Let’s be honest—this taxi was truly impressive: it refused to enter the village unless extra money was paid, or else you got out.

Zhou Andong shifted his shoulder: “If you’re not getting out, I’m leaving.”

“Huh?” Jian Qiu lifted her head drowsily. “Already there? Then I’m getting out.” She opened the door and stepped out.

Zhou Andong got out too. Jian Qiu still seemed dazed, turning to ask him: “Why did you get out too? Come inside for a bit?”

“Enough!” Zhou Andong’s face darkened. “Stop pretending.”

“What are you talking about?” Jian Qiu frowned, looked around, then exclaimed in surprise: “This is Tanghezi? Why did you bring me to your place?”

Zhou Andong wrapped his arm around her soft waist: “If you want to come, come. Why pretend to sleep and act like a brat?”

“Who’s pretending?” Jian Qiu denied it stubbornly. “Since we’re here, let’s go see Auntie and Uncle.”

“Still haven’t paid!” The driver grumbled as he got out. “Fucking hell, trying to ride for free? You don’t even know who you’re messing with.”

Zhou Andong stopped and turned back: “Want the fare? I don’t have cash. Come with me into the village—I’ll get it at my place.”

“Fuck you, playing games with me?” The driver yanked open the car door, pulled out a steel pipe from inside, and charged at Zhou Andong. “Pay up, or don’t think you’re walking away.”

Zhou Andong smiled: “Do you know where you are?”

The driver tapped the pipe against his palm: “I’ve been here before.”

“Oh?” Zhou Andong said. “Do you believe me? If I shout, half of Tanghezi village will show up and leave you here.”

The driver’s eyes flickered; he blustered: “Don’t go blowing smoke.”

“Whether I’m bluffing or not—you’ll find out,” Zhou Andong walked past him. “Want money? Come into the village. If you won’t come in, then shut up about the fare. Get the hell out. You’ve been spoiled rotten.”

The driver looked at the steel pipe in his hand, then at Zhou Andong’s back, clenched his teeth, got back in the car, started the engine, and followed Zhou Andong into the village.

Seeing they weren’t heading home, Jian Qiu asked: “Where are you going?”

“He didn’t want to enter the village, right? Said he’d charge extra if he did. Fine—I’ll take him for two laps around the village,” Zhou Andong deliberately took narrow alleys and bumpy roads.

The yellow taxi followed behind. The rough roads weren’t the problem—it was the crooked, overgrown branches scraping against the car body, making a racket of crackles and squeals that made his heart bleed. The car was less than half a year old—every scratch left a mark.

“Uncle San, finished eating?”

“Boy, where’s Uncle Wu? Why are you hauling water?”

“Old Grandma, smoke less—it’s bad for your health.”

“Dongzi’s back.”

“Oh my, Dongzi, who’s this?”

“Dongzi, is this your girlfriend?”

“She’s beautiful—like she stepped right out of a painting.”

Everyone in the village knew Zhou Andong was divorced. Along the way, people kept greeting him—and without exception, all of them, young and old, were fascinated by Jian Qiu, showering her with praise.

The driver sensed it too: Zhou Andong truly knew everyone in this village. It made him shudder—he was lucky he hadn’t acted rashly. The consequences could’ve been dire.

But as they drove on, the driver began to feel something was off—this road looked familiar. The old woman smoking was still sitting there—how had they circled back?

He suddenly realized he’d been tricked. But now, he had no courage to challenge Zhou Andong—he could only grit his teeth and follow behind.

He truly regretted it now. He’d demanded extra fare for entering the village because of Jian Qiu’s presence. He assumed Zhou Andong, in front of such a beautiful woman, wouldn’t dare refuse. Even if he resented it, he couldn’t lose face in front of a beauty. And this trick had always worked before.

But he hadn’t expected Zhou Andong to play by no rules. Intimidation failed, and now he was being dragged in circles around the whole village—forced to follow along. After all, the fare from the brewery here was over twenty yuan.

After another loop, Zhou Andong finally headed home.

Jian Qiu smiled: “No more circling?”

Zhou Andong said: “If we circle any more, we won’t make it home in time for dinner.”

“Dongzi!” Just as they reached the gate, Zhou Anbin stepped out from the east courtyard—as if waiting for him. He turned to Jian Qiu and flattered: “Oh my, Sister-in-law’s here too!”

Jian Qiu gave a faint nod. She knew Zhou Andong had a bad relationship with his elder brother’s family—she wouldn’t give Zhou Anbin a good look.

Zhou Andong stared at Zhou Anbin. That guy was a weasel—coming here meant trouble.

“Dongzi!” Zhou Anbin beamed. “I’m getting on in years—I’m planning to get married, but I haven’t saved enough for the bride price. Can you lend me some? I’ll pay you back, principal plus interest, as soon as I can.”

Zhou Andong laughed: “Do you think I have money to lend you?”

Zhou Anbin answered without hesitation: “I know you don’t have money—but Sister-in-law does. Family’s family—what’s hers is yours.”